50 mpg!

[busypaws]

Don't forget that gas weights a little over 6lbs per gallon. So if you are always driving around with 10 gallons of unused fuel (filling every time) then you might get a percent or two better on a trip with an empty tank. (Only if stop/go, EOC, P&G; If you're in cruise control then weight is not as much a factor.)

I like your thinking though. It is always a decision for me. I see the Scanguage says I have a 45mpg tank so far so I'm really tempted to fill it so I can see if it was "real". But then the lightweighting in me wins out and I run make sure I've used 11 gallons of my 13 gallon tank before I stop.

Dreaming of the day when I can pull the 13 gallon tank out and replace with a 5-6 gallon tank in the empty spare tire well.

[gone-ot]

...yep, and that's exactly *why* some people notice they seem to get better mpg near an empty tank than they do with a full tank...which is usually true...because of the added weight being lugged around.

...of course, the difference between 5 gallons (~30.5 lbs) and 10 gallons (~61 lbs) is miniscule in a 3,000+ pound vehicle.

[moonmonkey]

i like to get a sample of my entire tank, and i drive it till the fuel light flashes,every tank. im with old tele i dont think the amount of gas makes a huge difference at least not for me (not a whole lot of stop and go) so once you get that weight moving its no big difference, my scangauge stays steady across my whole tank for the most part with me struggling to keep it above 60mpg (avg) which is about 7-9 mpg too optomistic. as far as how to fill, i fill and rock/fill and rock until no more gas will settle, and its in the filler neck. a pretty accurate method,,,,hey luvit lets aeromod that honda! belly pan and pizza pans,,,chicks digg it.

[Wonderboy]

Originally Posted by moonmonkey

chicks digg it.

I have to testify the opposite based on my data! - I've had nothing but dudes approach me about my aero mods...but then again, I don't use actual shiny pizza pans, nor do I really need to do much belly panning on the slick underside of my honda. Checks probably pay attention to those slick details. ;-)

[luvit]

Originally Posted by moonmonkey

i like to get a sample of my entire tank, and i drive it till the fuel light flashes,every tank. im with old tele i dont think the amount of gas makes a huge difference at least not for me (not a whole lot of stop and go) so once you get that weight moving its no big difference, my scangauge stays steady across my whole tank for the most part with me struggling to keep it above 60mpg (avg) which is about 7-9 mpg too optomistic. as far as how to fill, i fill and rock/fill and rock until no more gas will settle, and its in the filler neck. a pretty accurate method,,,,hey luvit lets aeromod that honda! belly pan and pizza pans,,,chicks digg it.

i could use more chicks. lol.
this car is actually a project car for my daughter to learn how to drive. she gets her permit this summer. i need to keep it as stock as possible.

i'll remove the VAC gauge until she get's her license. i don't want it to distract her. i won't teach hypermiling until she appears to be safe by 2nd nature.

and physical mods may embarrass her. i'll leave it up to her, introduce her to this site and let her think it's her idea for aero mods.

the non-permanent mods i plan to do to this car at not aero mods.
Respectfully:
Synthetic axle/wheel bearing lube
Hot/Warm air intake - just not done due to laziness.
Grill Block (Upper Grill) - just not done due to laziness.
Grill Block (Lower Grill)
Cover bucket-style marker lights - just not done due to laziness.
Weight reduction

Seal Panel Gaps
Belly pan (full)
Front Air Dam (TBD)
i already have relatively smooth hub caps from honda.

[bestclimb]

Originally Posted by busypaws

Don't forget that gas weights a little over 6lbs per gallon. So if you are always driving around with 10 gallons of unused fuel (filling every time) then you might get a percent or two better on a trip with an empty tank. (Only if stop/go, EOC, P&G; If you're in cruise control then weight is not as much a factor.)

The extra weight (60 lbs or 3% of a 2000lb gross weight vehicle) is only a determent when stop and go. EOC, P&G, and steady speed it likely won't drop much. The extra weight may take more energy to accelerate but once it is up to speed the extra kinetic energy you have and/or potential energy you stored will allow your coasts back down to be a bit longer. If you have to accelerate the extra mass then use brake to decelerate it again you will see a drop in MPG.

I think the error in tank fill by <.2 gallons per fill by using different stations, weather conditions, or individual pumps, or alignment of the planets gets pretty well washed out by averaging a couple tank fulls. That said I usually fill up at the same station, but that's mostly due to convenience.

400 miles/9.3 43.010 M/G
400 miles/9.1 43.956 M/G
which is about a 2% error.